SPCA Blue Tick® digital campaign - 'the nutritionist'

Ever wondered where your meat and eggs come from? A farm surely, but have you thought about what kind of farm, where that farm is, and how the animals are treated?

This is part of the reason why nutritionist Claire Turnbull has signed up to become one of the SPCA Blue Tick® goodwill ambassadors and is now encouraging people to take the high animal welfare pledge.

Last week the SPCA Blue Tick® launched its second ‘Feel good about high animal welfare’ digital campaign to educate consumers and to encourage them to take the pledge for high animal welfare by supporting farmers farming above the minimum standards of the animal welfare Codes.

Viewing one of three short videos released on a weekly basis explaining the purpose and mission of the SPCA Blue Tick®, with an emphasis on how high animal welfare certified farming methods improve the welfare of animals and the quality of food, is recommended before taking the SPCA Blue Tick® pledge.

Meat and eggs are an excellent source of nutrition which can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, but when we included these products in our diet, it is our responsibility to ensure we support high animal welfare farmed products, says Claire Turnbull.

“When I was younger my grandfather, who was a farmer, taught me how to appreciate and understand the different ways in which animals are farmed. He also taught me about the importance of knowing where your food comes from.

“I am therefore in full support of practices that ensure animal welfare as a priority. Research shows that animal stress is a key factor that negatively affects the quality of the meat, so animals raised to high animal welfare standards and well looked after result in better quality meat,” she says.

“As a busy working mum, I want to make sure I feed the best possible food to my family for their years to come.”

There is a money-can’t-buy-prize up for grabs for four high animal welfare supporters. All those who take the pledge to ‘go SPCA Blue Tick’ go into a draw to win a dining experience with renowned chef and SPCA Blue Tick goodwill ambassador, Ray McVinnie. To thank participants for their commitment, the SPCA Blue Tick® will also provide discount vouchers for their next shopping trip.

SPCA Blue Tick®, run by the SPCA, certifies eggs, chicken, pork and turkey products that have been farmed to its stringent high animal welfare standards. It is the only animal welfare accreditation in New Zealand independent from the food and farming industries

Consumers have the assurance that SPCA Blue Tick® approved products live up to its claims because the farms are audited annually and unannounced throughout the year against stringent and enforceable standards set out by Dr Arnja Dale, SPCA Chief Scientific Officer with input of various other animal welfare experts after consultation with farmers. The standards are continuously examined and revised to reflect global best high animal welfare practise.

The campaign is designed to help us spread the word so we can improve the lives of all farm animals, says Ségolène de Fontenay, Business Unit Manager of the SPCA Blue Tick®.

“We’ve made it really easy to take the pledge, get involved and add your voice to Claire’s and other mindful consumers who take an interest in how their food is produced. The more people who get behind the SPCA Blue Tick®, the better the outcome for animal welfare across the country.”